A Comparative Analysis of Fundamental Religious Beliefs of Taliban and Salafism: Some Solutions for Iran’s Foreign Policy

Introduction :

 Each Islamic denomination follows its respective beliefs to forge connections with other Islamic denominations and even non-Islamic religions. Religion plays a pivotal role in shaping their comprehension of Self, Other, and the approach towards communicating with others, ranging from acceptance to excommunication. In other words, religious beliefs constitute a foundation that governs the relations between different religions. A precise and nuanced understanding of diverse Islamic denominations is essential for avoiding the one-size-fits-all perspective that may see the diverse groups in the same way.  Such an understanding paves the way for recognizing historical, religious, and social distinctions, facilitating more informed and effective approaches to interact with different religious groups.The teachings of the Quran and the prophetic tradition prohibit sectarian conflicts, underscoring the unity and convergence among followers of different Islamic denominations. The empathy and convergence seem to be crucial, especially considering the constant efforts by the Western world to sow discord and division within Islamic countries. For example, the establishment of ISIS in the Middle East involved the Muslim nations, with the ultimate aim of ensuring security for Israel. Recently, the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan has made it essential to reassess their foundational beliefs, laying the groundwork for fostering more symbiotic relations with them.The Deoband school of thought is considered one of the influential Islamic denominations in the recent developments of the region. Deobandis adhere to the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and Maturidism as a school of Islamic theology. TheDeobandi movement emerged with the purpose of opposing the British East India Company. Due to their concerted efforts, Deobandis rapidly spread across the Indian subcontinent, later establishing a significant base in Pakistan and Afghanistan and founding religious schools and educational centers there. The Taliban group is one the movements developed out of the adherence to the religious beliefs of the Deoband school of thought. Against this backdrop, the present research aimed to examine three key issues: the fundamental religious beliefs of the Taliban, the distinction between the Taliban and Salafism, and suggestions for Iran’s strategic foreign policy towards these groups with an eye to their religious beliefs.

Literature Review:

Authored by Khalil Ahmad al-Saharanpuri, the book Al-Muhannad 'ala al-Mufannad [The Sword on the Disproved] not only provides responses to the inquiries posed by Wahhabi scholars but also elaborates on the beliefs of the scholars from Darul Uloom Deoband. The book unveils the conspiracies of adversaries and elucidates the true teachings of the venerable figures of Maturidism. The collection of essays titled Maghalat Al-Kawtheri [Kawtheri’s Essays] includes miscellaneous essays written by Muhammad Zahid al-Kawthari. The collection contains some essays that oppose the Wahhabi thought. While dismissing Wahhabism, al-Kawthari delves into the core beliefs of the Deobandi school of thought. In the article titled “Taliban and Deobandism” (2018), Mohammad Bagher Hassani examined the relationship between the Taliban and the Deobandi school. The author compared some Deobandi concepts with Wahhabism and other Sunni sects, highlighting their shared aspects as well as distinctions. Hassani’s descriptive–analytical research also focused on Islamic groups, such as the Taliban, which are recognized for their adherence to the theological doctrines of Maturidism.In addition to comparative studies, there are also reference works on the theological beliefs of Maturidism and Wahhabism. A notable work is Kitab al-Tawhid [Book of Monotheism] by Abu Mansur al-maturidi, considered the canonical source for followers of the maturidi school of theology. Abu Mansur al-Maturidi refers to imitation in belief and faith as a wrong approach, focusing on the logical and narrative-based examination of the theological foundations of Maturidism. The book Minhaj al-Sunnah al-Nabawiyyah [The Path of Sunnah of the Prophet] was written by ibn Taymiyyah, a prominent Hanbali scholar considered as a founder and iconic figure of Salafism. The book deals with religious beliefs as well as several jurisprudential opinions and fatwas of Ibn Taymiyyah, including his unconventional views on refraining from visiting graves, and resorting to blessings and supplications. In addition, the article titled “Investigation of the Factors Affecting the Change in Iran’s Political–Defense Approach Towards the Taliban” (Parizad & Shahrestani, 2022) examined Iran’s foreign policy strategies concerning the Taliban group, highlighting the role of environmental factors and global structures.

The present study used the library method to collected and analyze the data.

According to the research results, the Taliban originated from Maturidi theology and Deobandi religious centers in Pakistan, and Salafism has its roots in the Wahhabi theology. Despite common origins, there are fundamental differences between the Taliban and salafism, manifesting in salient theological and religious issues such as monotheism in worship, intercession, and the stance towards the shia. Notably, the Taliban, in contrast to Salafism, exhibits a broader, universalist approach to acceptance of and interactions with other groups, particularly the Shia. According to the religious teachings, unity and convergence are not merely tactical considerations but fundamental principles of the Islamic faith. Therefore, the foreign policy strategy of Islamic states should be aligned with religious teachings. The Islamic Republic of Iran, as an Islamic state, seems to have anchored its foreign policy on this principle. Considering geopolitical borders and ideological considerations, Iran has established positive relations with the Taliban group, showing tolerance in border conflicts and water disputes. Iran’s foreign policy towards the Taliban is characterized by Iran’s concern about the formation of Salafi and Wahhabi groups in Afghanistan. Therefore, given the doctrinal differences between these groups, Iran views the relations with the Taliban as appropriate to prevent the establishment of Salafi groups in its eastern neighbor. Moreover, Iran’s foreign policy can pursue cooperation and relations with the Taliban against a common adversary, namely the United States.

A comprehensive understanding of Islamic intellectual and religious schools is crucial to reach an accurate interpretation of the foundations of Islam. Knowledge about different schools of thought can offer a better understanding of religious teachings, facilitating a more accurate interpretation of religious doctrines and beliefs. Moreover, as indicated by the findings, such an understanding can aid in devising foreign policy strategies in dealing with diverse religious groups.